About Milton Keynes

HOW MUCH DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT
MILTON KEYNES?
We might be considered a new city, original founded on 23 January 1967, but the settlement has deep roots, and a long history stretching back well past the Middle Ages.
Archeologists investigating the site before initial city planning discovered evidence of human settlements from 2,000 BC, so it’s safe to say Milton Keynes has been hosting visitors and locals alike for quite some time. The city itself, designated as an area of 89 square kilometres, took its name from a Medieval village, mentioned as far back as the 11th century.

This all means you’ll find the old mixed with the new. Tradition and modernity, all in one place. A unique character that attracts those who want to make their lives here, as well as visitors keen to see what our unique city has to offer. From a pre-founding population of 50,000, Milton Keynes has grown to host over 290,000 – exactly what the original town planners had aimed for.

Some of the most respected urban planners of their generation worked on the project, including Lord Norman Foster, Sir Richard MacCormac, Ralph Erskine, Henning Larsen, Martin Richardson and John Winter. The strong, modernist grid system, that makes it so easy to get around and that we still use to this day is a tribute to their innovation and ingenuity.

Another key feature of the original Milton Keynes plan is the extensive outdoor spaces, from rolling parks dotted with trees to lakes and rivers, and the Grand Union Canal running through the very heart of the city. Over 6,000 acres and counting, complemented by a network of over 200 miles of Redway cycle and walking paths, a system fit for a more sustainable future, and one used by thousands of residents and visitors every day.

A city more than suitable for the many landmarks, attractions and highlights that call Milton Keynes home; from the sporting successes inside the state-of-the-art Stadium MK and renowned National Badminton Centre, to the history and heritage of Bletchley Park and Milton Keynes Museum. Milton Keynes Theatre and MK Gallery both host a world-class programmes and the biennial IF: Milton Keynes International Festival brings a diverse mix of outdoor arts, music, comedy, installations and events to the city, all creating a modern, vibrant cultural scene, and one that’s young at heart.